Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-08-14
THE PlTTsDURGE1 FIRE.
Heavy LOss-Thc Masonic Temple
and Effects DcsfrOyed-fa-
tally Injured.
by telegraph to the Dispatch

10y W Oi5polti.l
PITTSBURGH, August 13.-The build
ings destroyed by the big fire last night
were the Masonic Temple, the Hamil-
tor block, CAMPBELL & Dicks carpet
warehouse, and number Of tenement
houses. The upper floors of Schmidt &
Fridays magnificent nine-story struc-
ture we're Quilted, and the balance OF
the building is water-soaked. The
DiSp0tch and PcnRy-PresS buildings
were badly damaged by water. The
fire originated in the carpet store of
IL. Hoffman, located in the cellar OF
the Masonic building, and underneath
the dry goods store of Campbell d
Dick. 1t is said that a party OF gentle
men we're sitting in the upholstering
department of Holtzman's establish
ment, when one of their number light
cd cigar and thoughtlessly threw the
match into waste-psper basket. The
contents of tho basket were of an in.
fammablo character, and in
few seconds the entire room
was ablaze. Efforts were made to
eItinguish the flames, but the
light material burned so rapidly
that the fire was soon keyond control
Masonic Hall was the oldest building
on Fifth avenue. 1t was built fifty
years ago by the Allegheny Engine
Company--a volunteer fire company.
The hall was occupied by Foxes Tsea-
ire and subsequently as a musuem.
The fourth floor was used by the Ma
sonic fraternity over forty years. This
floor was divided into five depart
ments-the blue room, the chapter
room, and the three aute-rooas. The
former was furnished at en- expense of
$l5,000. The furniture i'll the chapter
room cost $l0,esO. In ono of the ante
rooms was stored the paraphernalia,
valued at $4,000 Thirty-one lodges
met in the hall, and all the equipments
we're destroyed. Among articles priced
highly by the Masons of this city was
a picture Of Judge McCandless, one Of
the greatest representatives of Masonry
in this section. The walls of the blue
room also were adorned by portraits OF
all the past grand masters of Pitts
burgh, which were destroyed. Many
of these cannot be replaced. A num-
Der of Masons were in the rooms guard
ing against intruders until forced away
by the flames. Deputy Grand Master
Peter G. Spidlc gazed on the destruc-
ton of the building with tears stream
ing down his cheeks. John Keefe, OF
Allegheny, who was on tho building
assisting the fremen, fell and was
fatally injured.
A later careful estimate puts the loss
at less than 100000 The walls of the
Hamilton and Schmidt d Friday build
ings are found TO be in good condition,
and their loss will, therefore, be much
smaller than the first estimates. The
insurance on Hamilton's is $3.50, 900,
and the loss will be about SIS, 900.
Schmidt & Friday lose about $50, 900.
The insurance on their building and
stock is S250,0O0. Hoffman places
his loss at $780, Campbell & Dick
at $4,000, with Sl39,25O insurance.
The damage to the Penny Press will
be about $l0,000-fully insured aud
the Dispatch probably $1,000. The
Masonic Hall is totally destroyed, and
the loss will not be far from S75, 900;
insurance, S27, 800 The tenants Of the
Hamilton and Schmidt & Friday build
ings lose in the aggregate 100000.
The total insurance was $3.50, 900.